WESTOE’S move back into the National Two North promotion play-off spot came at a heavy price, with player-coach Mark Bedworth suffering a serious knee injury.

WESTOE’S move back into the National Two North promotion play-off spot came at a heavy price, with player-coach Mark Bedworth suffering a serious knee injury.

The centre was stretchered from the field and taken away by ambulance just after half-time in their 31-21 home win over Huddersfield, a result which saw the Shieldsmen leapfrog the Yorkshire club into second place in the table.

Saturday’s triumph left Westoe one point clear of third-placed Caldy, who have a game in hand, with Huddersfield a further point back in fifth also having a spare game in which to claw back their position.

But there was no shortage of fight in a Westoe team which led 19-18 at the interval, Peter Phealan’s 39th-minute try being added to by a conversion and four penalties from Bedworth before his injury.

Adam Ryder added to James Hall’s earlier try as Huddersfield hit back, but two tries from No 8 Ben Frankland and some stoic defence late on put the result beyond any doubt.

Tynedale suffered late agony at Birmingham Solihull as a last-minute drop-goal from full-back Dan Hawkes consigned them to a 16-14 defeat in National One.

Blaydon became the latest victims of runaway leaders Jersey, with the Channel Islanders racking up a 28-7 victory in front of a crowd of over 3,000 people. Fly-half Andrew Baggett crossed for their one-and-only try, converting himself.

Darlington Mowden Park’s march towards the National Three North title continued. Tries from Luke Wishnowsky, Cameron Mitchell and Chris McTurk, plus the boot of Tom Hodgson, keep Mowden 18 points clear at the top.

North One East leaders Billingham were 80-12 winners at home to Gateshead, while Durham and Northumberland One table-toppers Darlington beat Medicals 29-15.

Consett’s 42-13 win over Wallsend put them back on top in Division Two, with Prudhoe and Stocksfield still top dogs in Division Three after their 36-7 triumph over Seghill.